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Pronounced "easy," an EZ bar is a common piece of exercise equipment that can be used for a variety of exercises. Used in place of a standard straight barbell, the EZ bar is cambered or bent to allow for a wide or narrow grip to be used for variety. The muscles used when using an EZ bar depend on the exercise being performed. There are several standard EZ bar exercises.

Bulk Up Your Biceps

EZ biceps curls work the biceps muscle located on the front of your upper arm. Performed standing or while bent over a device called a preacher bench, doing curls using a cambered EZ bar is often more comfortable than using a straight bar as straight bar curls can be hard on your wrists. Although your biceps are the target muscle in EZ arm curls, other muscles are involved including brachialis and brachioradialis which also cross your elbow and help your biceps to flex your elbow.

Tune Up Your Triceps

EZ bar triceps extensions can be performed standing, seated or lying on your back -- in what is properly called the supine position. Your triceps are located on the back of your upper arm and are responsible for extending your elbows. The EZ bar allows for a comfortable hand position. To get the most from EZ bar triceps extensions, try to keep your upper arms still and ensure all of the movement comes from your elbows and not your shoulders.

Make Popeye Jealous!

Reverse grip EZ bar curls are similar to EZ biceps curls but instead of using an underhand grip, an overhand grip is used. This increases the work your forearm muscles have to do and can increase your grip strength. Grip strength is important in sports like football, rock climbing and judo and can also make physically demanding tasks such as carrying heavy grocery bags easier.

Build a Bigger Back

An EZ bar reverse grip bent over row works all of your major back muscles. Your erector spinae muscles, essentially your lower back, must work hard to support your lumbar spine as you bend forward and maintain a straight back while the action of pulling the bar into your midsection works your latissimus dorsi or lats. Pulling your shoulders back and together, a movement called retraction, works your middle trapezius and rhomboids. To minimize your risk of injury when performing this exercise, do not allow your lower back to become rounded. Brace your core tightly to keep your lower back slightly arched.

About the Author

Patrick Dale is an experienced writer who has written for a plethora of international publications. A lecturer and trainer of trainers, he is a contributor to "Ultra-FIT" magazine and has been involved in fitness for more than 22 years. He authored the books "Military Fitness", "Live Long, Live Strong" and "No Gym? No Problem!" and served in the Royal Marines for five years.